Potential architectural modifications, fresh ideas, and reported release dates for the next Google Pixel 9 2024 flagship
We have just a few days before the much sooner than predicted Google Pixel 9 2024 arrives. Though the August release of the Google Pixel 9 2024 may surprise us, enough information has leaked out—including hands-on videos—to provide a somewhat complete picture of what is ahead.
Anticipate even more definite Pixel 9 2024 rumors with a Google hardware presentation scheduled for August 13. As of yet, we know about Google’s Pixel 9 2024 designs ahead of the phone’s expected release as well as other developments in terms of fresh AI technologies, display enhancements, and other adjustments.
At First Glance
- Google is planning a Made by Google event on August 13 rather than the customary fall debut.
- Four models—a basic Pixel 9, a smaller Pixel 9 Pro, a Pixel 9 Pro XL with a 6.7- or 6.8-inch screen, and a Pixel 9 Pro Fold that succeeds the original Pixel Fold—are the subject of rumors.
- The screen of the Pixel 9 ought to be 6.3 inches.
- Every one of these phones should provide four color options: black, white, green, pink.
- Every Pixel 9 model should run off the Tensor G4.
- While the front camera on the standard Pixel 9 may receive an auto-focus capability, all Pixel 9 versions could gain from a larger ultrawide camera sensor.
- Though one report suggests the Android software upgrade won’t be ready, the phone should start with Android 15.
Release Date and Price
The best bet in tech used to be projecting an October launch for the Pixel flagships. Every model but one has been revealed in October following the initial Pixel’s 2016 release. Announced on September 30 and released at the end of October, 2020’s Pixel 5 was the one exception.
The Google Pixel 9 2024 will be yet another exception, though. Google has scheduled an August 13 Made by Google hardware event.
Furthermore, given Pixel 9 Pro teaser films from Google highlighting the August 13 date, there is no reason to think the Pixel 9 won’t be included into that launch. Here is our guidance on viewing the Made by Google live stream on August 13.)
Right now, Pixel 9 cost is yet unknown. Starting price for the Pixel 8 Pro is $999; the Pixel 8 costs $699. Both of those rates mark $100 increases from the cost of their predecessors.
Google is hardly the only phone manufacturer that has just raised pricing; both the Galaxy S24 Ultra and the iPhone 15 Pro Max received $100 rises of their own.
A fresh leak just ahead of its presentation shows a $1,099 starting cost for the Pixel 9 Pro XL, meaning the Pixel 9 Pro would fetch for less.
If Google can’t find a method to reverse the Pixel 8 increases, at least we hope it keeps current prices in place for the Pixel 9 launch. Nonetheless, at least in Europe, one Pixel 9 pricing rumor implies more costs for some versions.
Specification
Screen size: 6.3 inches
CPU: Tensor G4
RAM: 12GB
Storage: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
Rear camera: 50MP main, 48MP ultrawide
Front camera; 10.5 MP
Battery size: 4,558 mAh
Colors: Black, white, pink, green
Design and Display
The two different Pixel 9 Pro variants may help to explain the several speculations concerning Pixel 9 screen sizes. Though the Pixel 9 Pro will be available with 6.1- and 6.7-inch panels, respectively, the assumption seems to be that the basic phone will have a 6.3-inch display just ahead of the Pixel 9 debut.
Naturally, that is not a commonly held view. More current Pixel 9 Pro specs leaked have proposed 6.3- and 6.8-inch Pixel 9 Pro sizes.
The Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro would have the same screen size essentially, except for the number of cameras that distinguishes the two variants.
Renders highlight one improvement arriving at the Pixel 9 variants. Unlike with the Pixel 6, the horizontal camera bar now has rounded ends that stop short of extending edge to edge instead of spanning across the length of the back panel as it did since its inception. The renders also show Google moving to flatter sides instead of the rounded edges seen by past Pixels.
As we discuss displays, more speculations regarding the potential for an adaptive touch capability. Applied in an Android 14 beta, Adaptive Touch would change the display’s sensitivity depending on “your environment, activities and screen protector.” This would presumably make interacting with the screen simpler.
Like the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor Samsung used for the Galaxy S24 Ultra, another conceivable modification to the Pixel 9 display would be adding one. Compared to optical fingerprint sensors like the ones now seen on the Pixel 8 series, ultrasonic sensors run far more reliably.
Leaked Pixel 9 images seem to support another design modification with the upcoming phone featuring more rounded corners than past. Other Pixel 9 images displaying some of the hues arriving for Google’s new phones have been seen here.
Regarding hues, leaked Pixel 9 series wallpapers have helped us to anticipate. Black and white could be returning; Jade and Peony green and pink also abound.
Indeed, the Pixel 9 series will have the same M14 OLED screen as the iPhone 16 Pro, according a claim from an intimate source.
With the standard Google Pixel 9 purportedly providing a 1,800-nit peak brightness, this additional screen will further increase the brightness. The Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL will apparently have a 2,050-nit display in meanwhile.
Camera
There was temporary conjecture that Google was adding a telephoto camera to its entry-level flagship when first Pixel 9 renders showed a third camera lens.
Now that reports of several Pixel 9 Pro models have gained traction, it seems very obvious that any images displaying a telephoto lens use either Pixel 9 Pro model – be it the smaller version or the claimed XL option.
Early speculations said the Pixel 9 Pro variants might have a variable aperture main camera, but it seems to have dropped by the wayside.
A more definite rumor is an ultrawide sensor update, maybe arriving on phones this year. That will entail enhancements to low-light images, but it’s not clear if those would apply to the Pixel 9 or the Pro versions only.
The Pixel 8’s primary camera now employs a 50MP sensor, complemented by a 12MP ultrawide lens to complete the configuration. While the Pixel 8 Pro’s cameras are led by that same 50MP sensor, its ultrawide and telephoto lenses make use of 48MP sensors.
The same rumour speculating on an ultrawide camera enhancement for the Pixel 9 phones also suggests that the basic Pixel 9 will have a Pro feature with front camera auto-focus capability.
Performance
Should Google follow existing naming standards, another simple prediction for the Pixel 9 series is that it will most certainly run on a new Tensor chipset—the Tensor G4. Exynos silicon forms the basis of Google’s CPUs; yet there are rumors that Google created the Tensor G5 chipset entirely. Though that wouldn’t show until the Pixel 10 in 2025.
Fortunately, it appears that Samsung’s most recent silicon breakthroughs could help the Tensor G4 processor, hence hoping it is more powerful and efficient than the existing Tensor chip. That so, performance-wise, studies indicate the Tensor G4 is merely a small enhancement over the Tensor G3.
Additionally receiving 16GB RAM to enable more efficient AI processing are the Pro models. The Pixel 9 Pro is supposed to run 12GB of RAM.
Regarding storage, base models of every phone have 128GB; choices for 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB point to A possible preorder offer for the Pixel 9 would enable you upgrade to the next storage tier free of further charge.
Tensor’s real value is its AI-powered capabilities, which include call filtering and photo editing tools incorporated into present Pixels.
While introducing some original capabilities, Samsung’s Galaxy AI features unveiled as part of the Galaxy S24 announcement mirror some of those ones. Once more, a software update offered current Pixels with capabilities akin to Circle to Share.
In any case, we would anticipate the Tensor G4 receiving a neural engine update driving fresh features we will learn more about between now and the Pixel 9 launch.
Code unearthed from the most recent Google AI Core app and the Google Messages beta suggest further on-device AI capabilities for the Pixel 9, which would minimise the need to offload data for cloud-based services to process. Text could thus be able to image conversions occur locally on the phone.
Along with the new chip could be a Threads radio, required for operating Matter-powered smart home appliances. Although this has already shown up in the iPhone 15 Pro, on the Android side of things this would be first.
SOFTWARE
Though there are little specifics about them, one paper notes many possible AI-powered capabilities that might show in the Pixel 9. Not unlike the Best Take function of the Pixel 8 that enables you switch out faces of people in the photograph, Add Me is billed as a group photos editing tool.
A Studio feature sounds like it will provide Google’s phones greater on-device generative artificial intelligence capabilities. Additionally, Pixel Screenshots will let you search among any of the ones you have kept on your phone for content.
One more leaked function is called Call Me. On the Pixel 9 phones, it will allegedly provide phone call recording and transcription; other hints suggest that transcripts of phone calls may also include AI-powered summaries.
With Android 15 driving the show, the Pixel 9 would seem to be assured to arrive. Actually, the Pixel 9 variants will probably be the first to arrive pre-installed with the Android 15 update.
Google I/O in May exposed more Android 15 features; Google already has a public beta of Android 15 accessible to run on current Pixel phones. Currently at beta 4 for Android 15, which is the second beta focused on platform stability, we most likely have a launch around the August 13 hardware event.
Since Google is releasing sooner than usual, there are now speculations that it might introduce the Pixel 9 series with Android 14 instead, then update to Android 15 once that is ready later on in the year.
Given how near Android 15 is to stability, this would be an odd action from Google, hence we find the report dubious.
But news that Samsung stopped working on OneUI 7, their own version of Android 15, things don’t look great for Google. That’s something to keep at the back of your mind then.
The Pixel 9’s new weather app can be sidelocated from a well-known APK website, it has lately been discovered. Apart from a new UI, the unfinished app is not much different from the present one; other reports surround new weather maps and artificial intelligence capabilities.
Impression
Ahead of the Made by Google August 13 event, we anticipate some additional Pixel 9 specifics to surface. And that’s something we’re really looking forward to learn about since the Galaxy S24’s introduction brings more AI-centric products into the present Pixels.
Considering the various enhancements to Samsung’s flagships, one can see the pressure Google probably feels to up the Pixel game this year.
In the end, we would like Google to once again emphasize original artificial intelligence capabilities using the Pixel 9.
However, given early speculations on the show, cameras and possible new models, we wouldn’t be surprised to see the phone maker go all out to make the Pixel 9 unique.
Conclusion
- The Google Pixel 9 is set to be released earlier than expected, with a scheduled hardware event on August 13, breaking from the traditional October launch timeframe.
- Four rumored models are expected: a basic Pixel 9, a smaller Pixel 9 Pro, a larger Pixel 9 Pro XL, and a Pixel 9 Pro Fold, suggesting Google’s ambitious lineup expansion.
- Key specifications include a 6.3-inch screen, powered by the Tensor G4 chip, with variations in RAM (12GB for Pro models), storage options ranging up to 1TB, and a significant camera upgrade including a 50MP main sensor and enhanced ultrawide capabilities.
- Design changes include a more refined camera bar and flatter sides, departing from previous Pixel designs, alongside potential new features like adaptive touch sensitivity and an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor.
- Pricing details are yet to be confirmed, but leaks suggest a starting price around $1,099 for the Pixel 9 Pro XL, indicating a potential increase in cost compared to previous models.
- Software updates are anticipated to include Android 15 out of the box, with possible advanced AI capabilities integrated into the Pixel 9’s functionality, enhancing user experience and efficiency.
- The Pixel 9 series aims to compete with recent advancements from other manufacturers like Samsung, with a focus on enhancing AI features, camera capabilities, and overall performance.